Improvement in deep insertion intracanal hearing aids or miniaturized peritympanum hearing aids

Abstract: Miniaturized hearing aid intended for a deep insertion into the auditory meatus of people who suffer from hearing troubles, or "peritympanum" hearing aid comprising a hollow body, a closure plate therefore provided with a cavity for housing the battery and with a small closing cover for said cavity operating as a movable battery holder shifting between a closed position supplying the contacts and an open position cutting the power supply of the battery, wherein the necessary thong for removing the hearing aids from the auditory meatus controls the movement of the battery holder from the closed position to the open position.

Description: This invention relates to an improvement in intracanal hearing aids, namely the hearing aids which are inserted into the auditory meatus by people who suffer from troubles with the organ of hearing and starts from WO 86/06919. As it is already known by the experts in the art, in the last years hearing aids apparatuses for people with hearing troubles have met with a radical transformation which regarded first the position of the apparatus, which, placed at first in a specially made spectacles ear-piece, was later located behind the pinna, not completely hidden from sight, and finally inside the auditory meatus, in a position in which it is practically invisible. The apparatuses internal to the auditory meatus, or intracanal apparatuses, have then met with a greater and greater miniaturization tending to make them less and less visible. The quest for invisibility has now lead to the production of the so-called "peritympanum" hearing aids, namely of miniaturized hearing aids which are so small in size as to allow their deep insertion inside the auditory meatus, whereby the inner extremity of the apparatus is at a distance of about 5-7mm from the tympanum, while the most external side or closure plate is completely hidden behind the tragus, namely the triangular cartilaginous prominence which is a part of the pinna. The extremely small size and the deepness of insertion of the hearing aid inside the auditory meatus have arisen the necessity to provide the hearing aids with an element whose end is located outside of the meatus and inside the pinna, and that can be gripped with the fingers. Indeed, the miniaturized hearing aids at present available are provided with a "thong" fastened thereto whose extremity, which is external to the auditory meatus, can be easily gripped with the fingers in order to take the apparatus out of the meatus. This solution allows to carry out the taking out operation perfectly, but doesn't solve the problem of the switching off and switching on of the apparatus "in loco", being at present necessary to take the hearing aid out of the auditory meatus in order to switch it off, which is obviously troublesome and not convenient at all. Such a device is described in PCT application WO 86/06919 in the name of this same Applicant, in which a device is disclosed comprising a housing for all the necessary electronics as well as for the battery, such housing being tiltable with respect to the hearing aid outer shell in order to facilitate its removal from the auditory canal and to connecting and disconnecting the battery form one of the electric contacts. This invention therefore aims to provide a "peritympanum" hearing aid, or deep insertion intracanal miniaturized hearing aid, in which the removal "thong" controls a switch specially constructed and integrated with the battery holder, which, once pulled, can put the hearing aid in the OFF position; while the ON position is reached again by exerting a light pressure on the outer extremity of the hearing aid in order to push back the battery holder into the totally closed position, which is the position "hearing aid ON". The invention comprises various embodiments, all having in common the characteristic of the movable battery holder which, being connected with the removal thong, integrates the structure and function of the switch. Another relevant feature is that the battery holder can be structured in different shapes so as to house the battery in a "flat" position, namely generally on a plane which is parallel to the closure plate, or in a "vertical" position, namely on a plane which is perpendicular to this plate. Finally, since the tolerance admitted for the maximum diameter of the battery, as provided by the IEC (International Electronic Committee) directions, is of about 0.3mm, and therefore rather wide with regard to the average diameter of the batteries employed in the miniaturized hearing aids, which diameter is of about 5.5mm, in order to avoid the battery slipping out of the small cover, it would be necessary to shape the seat wherein the battery is housed in such a way that it could "embrace" the battery. Such a shape, on the other hand, would involve a remarkable increase in the thickness of the small cover and so an undesirable increase in the external dimensions of the apparatus. In order to solve this problem, according to this invention, it has been devised to fix to the "ceiling" of the small cover a little permanent magnet in the form of a thin plate, preferably disk-shaped, which can hold the battery which it is in contact therewith, avoiding its getting out and its possible falling down when the small cover of the hearing aid is completely open. Besides, the cooperating elements that, together with the battery holder, allow to achieve the object of the invention, can have different shapes, movements and actions. The invention will be now described in full detail with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein, merely for an exemplificative and absolutely not restrictive purpose, the most representative embodiments thereof will be illustrated. More precisely: fig.1 is a rather schematic view representing a cutaway of an ear and relative auditory meatus wherein it has been inserted a "peritympanum" or miniaturized hearing aid of the kind this invention refers to; fig.1A shows the only hearing aid; fig.2 is a perspective view of the miniaturized hearing aid with the battery holder cover in the "ON" position; fig.3 is a similar perspective view of the miniaturized hearing aid with the battery holder cover in the "OFF" position; fig.4 shows a section of a first embodiment of the invention provided with a battery holder of the "flat" battery kind in the "ON" position; fig.4A is a similar section of the first embodiment of the invention in the "OFF" position; fig.4B is a perspective on a larger scale of a contact for the battery of the embodiment shown in fig.4; fig.5 is a similar section of a second embodiment provided with a battery holder of the same kind in the "ON" position; fig.5A is a similar section of the second embodiment in the "OFF" position; fig.6 shows a section of an embodiment of the invention provided with a battery holder of the kind wherein the battery is placed perpendicular to the plane of the closure plate, in the "ON" position; fig.6A is a similar section of the embodiment shown in fig.6 in the "OFF" position; fig.6B is a rather schematic section of the embodiment shown in fig.6 as taken at 90° with regard to this section; fig.7 is a section of an embodiment similar to the one shown in fig.6, with the battery holder in the "ON" position; fig.7A is a section of the same embodiment as the one shown in fig.7, with the battery holder in the "OFF" position; fig.8 is a section of still another embodiment of a battery holder of the kind shown in fig.6, in the "ON" position; fig.8A is a similar section of still another embodiment of fig.8 in the "OFF" position; fig.8B is a detailed perspective view, on a larger scale, showing the element of actuation of the battery holder shown in fig.8, 8A; fig.9 is a section of another embodiment of the invention provided with a battery holder of the vertical battery kind, in the "ON" position; and fig.9A is an identical section as the one in fig.9 with the battery holder in "OFF" position. Before starting with the description of the various figures, it seems convenient to premise that in all these figures the small movable battery holder cover will always be indicated with the reference CPB, and that all the elements which are identical and already known by the previous art or not determining to the purpose of this invention, like, for example, axes of rotation, polarities and the like, will always be indicated with the same numbers or groups of letters, while the reference numbers indicating the various nonaccessory and most relevant components, with regard to the purpose of the invention, are destined to vary, and these numbers will follow the natural sequence of real numbers. With reference to fig.1 and 1A, miniaturized hearing aid TSI which this invention refers to, also called "peritympanum" hearing aid owing to the extreme closeness of its inner extremity to tympanum TMP of ear OCH, is illustrated as inserted inside auditory meatus CU of ear OCH with extremity EST of thong LC accessible in pinna PDG of ear OCH, which thong, in the miniaturized hearing aids at present available is utilized only for removing the hearing aid from auditory meatus CU. Miniaturized hearing aid TSI comprises a hollow body CCV and a closure faceplate PC wherein, as one can see in all the drawings from 2 to 9A, a small cover has been mounted which rotates around an axis lying on the same plane as the faceplate. It will be useful also to premise that in all the embodiments of the invention the switching off of the apparatus, namely the action needed to put the apparatus in the "OFF" position, is obtained by means of a rotation of small battery holder cover CPB with regard to closure plate PC from the closed position (apparatus ON) to the half open position (apparatus OFF), in which position small cover CPB causes the detachment of one of the poles of battery BT from the relative contact. In the embodiments of fig.2, 3, 4 and 5, battery BT is "housed" in a small battery holder cover CPB whose principal plane is practically parallel to the plane of closure plate PC, being body 10 of the battery holder hinged on same plate PC by means of a pin 11 in such a way as to be able to rotate with regard to a cavity 12 formed therein. For a greater security, as we have already mentioned in the premise, inside battery holder CPB of each embodiment considered it has been fixed a small permanent magnet very reduced in thickness, which is referred to by 45. In the embodiment in fig.4, battery BT is held inside battery holder CPB between a heel 13 created under pin 11 and a front bracket 14 projecting from the disk which constitutes the closure part of cavity 12. In the lower part of cavity 12 a plate 16 is inserted provided with a cusp 18, the back of which is inserted and fixed inside the thickness of back wall 19 of cavity 12. In the thickness of front wall 20 of this cavity a second plate 21 is inserted provided with a central J-shaped tongue 22, as shown in fig. 4B, which tongue 22 protrudres inside cavity 12 under the ring which constitutes positive pole PP of battery BT in such a way as to be into contact therewith. Plate 21 is embedded in the casting of closure plate PC by means of its upper part on which a little ledge 23 protruding in cavity 12 has been also created. Besides, free extremity 24 of plate 16 is provided with a hole to which lower extremity 25 of thong LC is fastened, which thong comes out of closure plate PC by means of a passage 26 created in the casting. Finally, on bracket 14, under stop protrusion 27, a notch 28 is formed the shape and dimensions of which are complementary to those of ledge 23. With all its parts so constructed and arranged, the operation of the apparatus is as follows: In the apparatus "ON" position as shown in fig.4 ledge 23 is engaged with notch 28 in such a way as to oppose the upward opening pressure exerted by elastic tongue 22 on positive pole PP of battery BT and by the latter transmitted to small battery holder cover CPB. Whenever the user will decide to switch off the apparatus it will be only sufficient to exert a traction on thong LC, for the stronger upward pressure transmitted by cusp 18 and tongue 22 to battery BT, and therefore to small cover CPB, to force ledge 23 to disengage from notch 28, thus allowing the lifting of the battery BT up to the position shown in fig.4A. As shown, in this position negative pole PN of battery BT is detached from contact 16, which can not lift because its extremity 24 hits against a steplike stop 29 created in the casting of closure plate PC. In fig.5 a different embodiment of the invention is shown, this one too with a battery BT placed in a flat position inside the apparatus. This embodiment is practically identical with the one shown in fig.4, the only difference being that the inner extremity of thong LC is fastened directly to small battery holder cover CPB in 30, so that in the casting of the apparatus it is not necessary to create passage 26, which is therefore omitted. Being the shape and operation of the various constituent parts (indicated with identical referencences) absolutely identical, their operating will not be here further described. As it is absolutely comprehensible, also in this case fig.5 represents the "ON" position, while fig.5A represents the "OFF" position of the hearing aid. As it will have been easily understood, the operation of above mentioned magnetic plate 45 is essential in that it avoids battery BT coming out of small cover CPB, and its possible falling down out of the apparatus and consequent lost thereof, even with small cover CPB in the complete opening position. With reference to fig. from 6 to 9A the different embodiments of the invention will be now described, wherein small battery holder cover CPB has been structured and shaped in such a way as to house battery BT on a plane containing the axis of hollow body CCV. In all these embodiments, small battery holder cover CPB, hinged on the closure plate PC in such a way as to make angular movements thereto in a plane which is perpendicular to this plate, will comprise a seat shaped as an open ring provided with a locking rim 36, wherein battery BT is inserted laterally. Watching now fig.6 and 6A, it can be seen that small battery holder cover CPB, hinged on closure plate PC by means of pin 11, comprises a top 31 external to closure plate PC and an open-ring-shaped element integral therewith and housed in cavity 12 of closure plate PC. The open-ringed-shaped seat, by means of its lower inner part 32 and upper outer part 33, embraces only a portion of battery BT, clearing a good portion of positive pole PP on the lower side. In this way, as well as it happens to negative pole PN in the embodiment shown in fig.4 and 5, positive pole PP contacts plate 16, which is embedded in the casting of closure plate PC, only when small battery holder cover CPB is in the closed position illustrated in fig.6. As shown the necessary contact with negative pole PN occurs by means of radial plate contact 34 adjacent to side wall 35 of cavity 12 (fig.6B), being both contacts connected with the inner circuits of the apparatus housed in hollow body CCV. The operating of this embodiment is intuitively identical with the operating of the embodiment shown in fig.4, with rim 36 integral with part 33 which engages with a notch 37 formed in a correspondent position on front side 38 of closure plate PC: the traction exerted by means of thong LC, whose inner extremity is fastened to small battery holder cover CPB in 30, will cause the disengagement of the two elements and the lifting of the battery from plate 16 with a consequent cut in the power supply destined to the inner circuits (not shown) which, as already mentioned, are properly connected with contact plates 16 and 34. In the embodiment shown in fig.7 ring 32 is more complete and embraces almost completely positive pole PP of battery BT, being provided with an extension 39 which extends upwards and is provided with a wedge-shaped end 40 and a lower notch 41. In this embodiment the contact with positive pole PP of battery BT is obtained by means of a curved plate 21, the lower end of which is biassed by its own shape against this pole in the position closed-cover. By pulling thong LC, small cover CPB lifts bodily, and accordingly the wedge-shaped extension 40, which is made of an insulating plastic material, slides between positive pole PP and plate 21, and the contact between the two elements is cut (apparatus OFF), being the upward motion limited by the engagement of an elastic tooth 42, integral with closure plate PC, in notch 41 (fig.7A). The embodiment of fig.8 and 8A is practically identical with the embodiment of fig.6, 6A, the only difference being that thong LC is not fastened to top 31 of small battery holder cover CPB, but it is fixed to a sliding element 43 provided with a tooth 44 located inside cavity 12 of closure plate PC, so that in this embodiment thong LC will move inside a passage 26 formed in the casting of closure plate PC. The sliding element is shown in the detail of fig.8B. By pulling thong LC (fig.8), tooth 44 pushes battery BT upward, with the consequent disengagement of rim 36 from notch 37 of small cover CPB, whereupon battery BT can lift and move off plate 16, the end of which stops against stop 29, in the OFF position shown in fig.8A. The embodiment shown in fig.9 and 9A is practically identical with the embodiment of fig.7 and 7A, the only difference being that thong LC is fastened to sliding element 43 instead of the top of small battery holder cover CPB. Also in this case, when the traction exerted on thong LC makes sliding element 43 lift battery BT, extension of insulating material 40 inserts between positive pole PP and plate 21 cutting the power supply destined to the inner circuits of the apparatus and putting said apparatus in the OFF position shown in fig.9A.

Claims: Miniaturised hearing aid intended for a deep insertion into the auditory meatus of people who suffer from hearing troubles, or intracanal "peritympanum" hearing aid comprising: a hollow body (CCV) practically in the shape of a cone, a closure plate (PC) for said body provided with a cavity (12) for housing a battery (BT) supplying the power to the functional circuits of the hearing aid (TSI), and a small closing cover (CPB) intended for said cavity (12), provided with locking means (28, 36, 39) co-operating with matching means (23, 37, 41) housed in said cavity (12) for locking the cavity (12) in the closed position, hinged as to pivot and make angular movements in and out of said cavity (12) and shaped as to house said battery (BT) so that it moves together with said cover (CPB), said miniaturised hearing aid (TSI) being provided with a little removal thong (LC) thereto fastened, and with a first and second contact (16, 34, 22) intended for the two poles of said battery (BT), both contacts (16, 34, 22) being inserted in said cavity (12) and structured and placed so as to be in contact each with the respective battery pole when said small cover (CPB) is in the closure position, the relative opening motion of said small battery holder cover (CPB), with regard to said contacts (16, 34, 22), occurring through a disengagement of said locking means (23, 28; 36, 37; 39, 41) and separating one of the battery poles from the respective contact so as to cut the power supply to said operative circuits and thus putting the hearing aid (TSI) in the OFF position, characterised in that the inner extremity (25) of said thong (LC) is fastened to a movable part of the hearing aid (TSI) in such a way that any traction to said thong (LC) brings about said relative opening motion and therefore the switching off of the hearing aid (TSI), the free end extremity (EST) of said thong (LC) being located in the pinna (PDG) of the hear (OCH), and in that the first of said contacts (16) biases said battery (BT) upwardly so as to cause said small cover (CPB) to open when said locking means (23, 28; 36, 37; 39, 41) are disengaged and said second contact (16) to detach from the respective pole (PN; PP) of said battery (BT). The miniaturized hearing aid of claim 1, wherein said inner extremity (25) of said thong (LC) is fastened to said small cover (CPB). The miniaturized hearing aid of claim 1, wherein said thong (LC) moves inside a passage (26) formed in said closure plate (PC) and its inner extremity (25) is fastened to the second of said contacts (16), placed under said battery (BT), so that said traction lifts the same contact (16) biassing said battery (BT) upward, up to the position "small cover open" and causing the disengagement of said means (23,28;36,37;41,39) that block said small battery holder cover (CPB) in the closed position, and then its opening. The miniaturized hearing aid of claim 1, wherein the inner extremity of said thong (LC) is fastened to a sliding element (43) moving in said cavity (12), under said battery (BT), between a non-operative position and a position wherein said sliding element (43), pulled by said thong (LC), biasses said battery (BT) towards the opening position of said small battery holder cover (CPB). The miniaturized hearing aid of claims 1 to 4, wherein said small battery holder cover (CPB) holds said battery (BT) in a flat position, almost parallel to said closure plate (PC). The miniaturized hearing aid of claim 5, wherein said small cover (CPB) holds a permanent magnet (45) in the form of a plate fastened to its inner side, that holds the battery (BT), which it is in contact with, avoiding its accidental getting out when the small cover (CPB) is completely open. The miniaturized hearing aid of claims 1 to 4, wherein said small cover (CPB) keeps said battery (BT) in a practically vertical position, namely on a plane containing the geometrical axes of said hollow conic body (CCV). The miniaturized hearing aid of claim 6, wherein said small battery holder cover (CPB) is provided with an insulating material element (40) that, in the "open cover position" inserts between one of the poles (PP) of said battery (BT) and the relative contact (21) causing the interruption of the power supply destined to said functional circuits of said miniaturized hearing aid (TSI) and so putting the hearing aid in the OFF position.

Inventors: GIANNETTI VITTORIO, GIANNETTI, VITTORIO
Applicants: COSELGI SPA, COS.EL.GI. S.P.A.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H04R25
IPC codes: H04R25, H01M2